Chapter 74
Samun Training Corps (3)
The most important lecture in the Samun Training Corps was, naturally, the analysis of the forces of the unorthodox factions and the study of countermeasures against their martial arts.
Ordinarily, the trainees would have been busy memorizing the information and countermeasures compiled by the Elder Council and the Ink Fragrance Department.
However, there was one trainee who had stepped beyond that framework.
Namgung Jun.
While everyone else was learning countermeasures, Namgung Jun was creating new ones.
The scholar and Elder Kwon, who watched the process unfold firsthand, could not hide their admiration.
“Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can scarcely believe it.”
“Sword talent... no, can this truly be dismissed as mere talent?”
Elder Kwon stared at Namgung Jun in astonishment.
Reverse-engineering from formulas, techniques, and sword trajectories.
Was such a thing really possible?
Granted, it only applied to sword arts, but the consensus was that Namgung Jun’s countermeasures were genuinely effective.
Without question, they would become a tremendous asset to the warriors of the Blue Heaven Society in their struggle against the unorthodox factions.
For now, his ability was limited to sword arts.
But if he continued encountering various enemies and accumulating experience, might he not one day devise countermeasures for entirely different forms of martial arts as well?
“I look forward to the future Namgung Jun—one who has faced countless unorthodox martial artists and developed innumerable methods of countering them.”
Watching Namgung Jun immerse himself in recording new countermeasures within manuals, Elder Kwon turned to the scholar.
“This matter will not interfere with his completion of the training corps, will it?”
“Not at all. His contributions will be counted separately as achievements, and additional merit points are being awarded within the training corps itself. There is no cause for concern. Besides, I hear that Young Hero Namgung remains diligent in his theoretical studies as well.”
At the scholar’s explanation that Namgung Jun was not neglecting any of his other lessons despite the extra work, Elder Kwon’s smile deepened.
“A blessing bestowed upon the Blue Heaven Society.”
With satisfaction in his eye, Elder Kwon gazed at Namgung Jun’s profile.
***
The period of theoretical instruction in the Samun Training Corps came to an end.
It was now time for the written examinations based on everything they had learned.
The trainees were required to earn passing scores in all nine subjects.
Failure meant a retest the following day.
Failure of the retest meant expulsion from the training corps.
Some subjects were notoriously difficult, and every year there were trainees who failed to reach the passing mark even after the retest and were forced to leave.
“Young Hero Namgung, remarkable.”
Heo Il looked over the list of successful candidates.
The list was arranged according to rank.
Namgung Jun’s name was among the top five.
Considering that he had spent considerable time developing new countermeasures, the result was astonishing.
“Moreover, creating new countermeasures earns additional merit points within the training corps, does it not? At this rate, first place is practically yours already.”
“With Senior Heo present, I cannot afford to lower my guard.”
Namgung Jun looked toward the very top of the list.
Heavenly Sword Hall — Heo Il
The highest score in the written examination belonged to Heo Il.
His result was nearly perfect.
Following Namgung Jun’s gaze to his own name, Heo Il shook his head.
“No. My martial side is still lacking. A man accomplished in both scholarship and martial arts—that description fits Young Hero Namgung far better.”
At that moment, the instructors called out to the trainees gathered before the results board.
“The martial examination will begin in one hour!”
“Ensure that all of you participate in peak condition!”
The trainees barely had time to enjoy the relief of passing before they immediately began regulating their breathing and loosening their bodies.
At the same time, they exchanged theories about the nature of the martial examination.
“Doesn’t the content of the martial exam depend on the Hall Master overseeing that training corps?”
“That is correct. I am quite curious about what we will face this time.”
“I heard that the Hall Master who oversaw the previous class declared that anyone who could survive his assassination attempt would pass.”
“What? How is anyone supposed to handle that?”
As more stories about previous classes surfaced, the trainees’ expressions darkened.
They had no idea what sort of test the Hall Master of Martial Training would devise.
Depending on the examination, the number of people able to complete the training corps might become alarmingly small.
“What do you think, Senior Heo?”
“Hm. I am not sure either. Given the Hall Master’s temperament, the test may be rather extreme.”
Time passed quickly.
Before long, the hour of the martial examination arrived.
As the trainees waited in the training grounds, Ha Mujung and the instructors appeared before them.
“I shall now announce the contents of the martial examination.”
Everyone focused on Ha Mujung’s words.
“The test is simple. Endure the instructors’ combined assault until one gak has passed.”
At those words, the trainees’ eyes shifted toward the instructors, and Ha Mujung continued his explanation.
Everyone would face coordinated attacks from instructors.
However, there was one important difference.
The trainee taking the examination would personally decide how many instructors participated in the assault.
A minimum of two.
A maximum of five.
The score awarded would depend on the number of instructors endured.
Those aiming for first place would naturally attempt to challenge as many as possible.
“Then let us begin.”
At Ha Mujung’s command, the martial examination commenced according to the established order.
The overwhelming majority chose to face the minimum number of instructors—two.
The top scorers had already more or less been determined.
Most participants were not striving for first or second place.
Their primary goal was simply to pass the training corps and secure their promotion.
“Contrary to expectations, the exam seems fairly straightforward.”
“Indeed. We worried for nothing.”
Namgung Jun and Heo Il watched the other trainees face off against the instructors.
Victory was not the objective.
Endurance was.
As a result, most trainees adopted defensive strategies and successfully held out until the end.
Of course, there were also quite a few who failed to endure even against two instructors.
The instructors’ coordination was exquisite, and they showed no mercy in their attacks.
“Heavenly Sword Hall’s Heo Il!”
With Ha Mujung’s call, Heo Il’s turn arrived.
“I shall uphold the honor of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
Smiling faintly at Namgung Jun, Heo Il tossed out those words and walked toward the center of the training ground.
After glancing at each instructor standing before him, he assumed a ready stance and spoke.
“I will face four instructors.”
The moment someone finally chose to challenge four instructors, interest flickered in Ha Mujung’s eyes.
Up until now, only four trainees had even dared to choose three instructors.
“Now it’s finally becoming interesting.”
Muttering to himself, Ha Mujung nodded.
He had already begun to grow bored watching everyone choose the safest option.
Naturally, Heo Il’s bold decision drew his attention.
He seems to have a hidden trump card or two, but four instructors still appear beyond him.
While assessing Heo Il’s aura, Ha Mujung leaned forward.
It did not seem like mere arrogance.
The young man clearly had his reasons.
The Hall Master of Martial Training took out a fresh incense stick and lit it with Samadhi True Flame.
“Begin.”
The instant the order fell, the four instructors charged at Heo Il.
Meanwhile, Heo Il calmly tilted back a gourd and took a long drink.
After drinking his fill, he drew his sword and immediately launched himself forward.
His blade was held straight before him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Five weapons collided violently.
With peculiar footwork and lightning-fast swordsmanship, Heo Il intercepted the attacks pouring in from all four directions before they could fully develop.
As he deflected the frontal sword strikes with sweeping motions of his blade, his ankle pivoted fluidly.
Just when it seemed he was widening the distance with a smooth retreat, a storm of swift sword strikes erupted from the unusually long blade in his hand.
That sudden shift in tempo disrupted the instructors’ pursuit.
Senior Heo seems to have made the movement technique from the Kwon Martial Treasury his primary focus now.
Heo Il was the same man who had proudly declared to his senior brother that he would walk his own path.
Little by little, he was discarding old habits and martial arts, replacing them with strengths uniquely his own.
Boom!
The swift sword strikes unleashed by Heo Il collided repeatedly with the instructors’ palm force, producing a series of heavy explosions.
“None of you seem inclined to hold back.”
Heo Il smiled and leaped into the air.
A sword traced a curved arc and barely grazed the fluttering edge of his robe.
The other instructors immediately unleashed palm force and sword winds toward the airborne Heo Il.
It was obvious they intended to deny him any opportunity to land safely.
“Hah!”
With a shout, Heo Il twisted his body in midair and thrust his sword repeatedly.
In the end, everything returned to the sword.
Movement techniques were important, certainly, but such a response would have been impossible without immense dedication to swordsmanship itself.
After deflecting every attack rising from below, Heo Il landed smoothly and regained his footing.
“Hoo.”
“He was hiding skills like that?”
“So there was a reason he stood beside the Soaring Star Sword.”
The observing trainees voiced their admiration.
Heo Il did not gain the upper hand, but his defense was remarkably flexible.
Most notable was his use of movement techniques, built upon delicate control of distance and speed.
Combined with his swift swordsmanship, it made him a genuinely dangerous opponent.
Boom!
The instructors repeatedly stomped the ground and unleashed powerful attacks.
Each time, Heo Il skillfully evaded them.
The four instructors’ coordination was exceptional, as though they had practiced together countless times.
Yet Heo Il’s swordsmanship and footwork were equally solid.
Senior Heo has improved considerably.
Even compared to their previous match, his growth was obvious.
Though his usual appearance made him seem relaxed and carefree, Heo Il pursued martial arts with unwavering diligence.
Clang!
As Heo Il continued to perform better than expected, the instructors exchanged glances and gradually increased their strength.
The number of close calls began to increase.
Even so, Heo Il somehow endured.
And throughout it all, his trademark easygoing smile never disappeared.
Before anyone realized it, the incense had completely burned away.
One gak had passed.
“Enough.”
At Ha Mujung’s command, everyone immediately widened the distance.
Sweating heavily, Heo Il looked at the four instructors standing before him.
When Heo Il respectfully cupped his fists, the instructors returned the salute.
“Excellent.”
With that brief evaluation from Ha Mujung, Heo Il’s martial examination came to an end.
Inspired by his performance, several trainees attempted to challenge three or even four instructors.
Many failed.
Not because of a lack of martial skill alone, but because they had misjudged both their own abilities and those of the instructors.
In that sense, the exam tested discernment as much as martial prowess.
As a result, a considerable number of trainees failed to withstand the instructors’ combined assaults.
Eventually, the examination entered its final stages.
All eyes gathered upon a single person.
Everyone present had been waiting for the young swordsman’s turn.
The Soaring Star Sword, Namgung Jun.
Even the instructors’ eyes held traces of curiosity.
How many instructors would he choose to face?
Among the instructors stood Gong Junam, quietly assessing Namgung Jun’s abilities.
If it’s Namgung Jun, he could handle all five instructors without issue. But...
Ha Mujung also looked at him with anticipation.
“Namgung Jun. How many instructors will you face?”
Namgung Jun glanced at the instructors before lifting his gaze.
His eyes settled on Ha Mujung atop the platform.
“I wish to challenge the Hall Master himself.”
A stunned silence descended upon the training ground.
The trainees were speechless.
So were the instructors.
Only Gong Junam, who had expected this outcome, showed the slightest twitch of his eyebrow.
As though he had anticipated the answer as well, Ha Mujung rose from his seat with a broad grin.
“Good. This is exactly the situation I was hoping for.”
ROOOAR!
Ha Mujung’s aura erupted upward like a waterfall flowing in reverse.
The domineering energy unique to the Extreme Martial Supreme Battle Art swept across the training ground.
Crackle!
Lightning instantly surged across Namgung Jun’s entire body.
Drawing the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art to its peak, Namgung Jun placed a hand upon the hilt of his sword and took a step forward.